Obituaries

Ellen Frances Martin Saffa was born in Booneville, Mississippi on July 22, 1961. She went to her Lord and Savior the early morning hours of May 23, 2018. She was at home surrounded by loved ones. She is preceded by her mother Betty Jo Martin who passed when Ellen was three, her father Ruben Walker Martin a decorated WWII and Korean War veteran, her older brother Dillard, loving sister Illora, her younger brother Patrick, and her precious son William “Trey” Curtis Bryant III.

Incandescent, loving, witty, generous, face-always-towards-the-sun, she spent the past two years celebrating life as she courageously battled with cancer. She knew no strangers. She always had a kind word of encouragement for her fellow warriors in this struggle during her many visits with the wonderful doctors and staff at Texas Oncology. The letters, cards, phone calls and visits from family and friends gave her joy during this time. Her dear friend Judy Butler supported her during each period of treatment, and for this she always said was a special place in Heaven for Judy. Her ending in this world came much more peacefully due to the love and care of Robin Atherton and Susan Masters Dungan who, as her condition evolved used gentleness and prayer to see to her comfort around the clock. They became and continued to be sisters since Ellen moved to Sherman in 1980 and went to work at Wilson N. Jones Hospital and later Sunbelt Savings. She is survived by her husband, Richard Saffa of Sherman and son Joshua Martin Bryant of Plano, sister Teresa Massey and family in Gulfport MS, brother Jim Martin and family of Collierville TN, brother Billy Martin and family of Booneville, and brother Paul and his family of Corinth MS. Her nieces, nephews and their children were a special part of her life.

Ellen loved being a member of the Dallas Museum of Art and never wanted to miss a new exhibit or an exhibition at the Dallas Arboretum.

Anne Sexton wrote, “As it has been said: Love and a cough cannot be concealed. Even a small cough. Even a small love.” Ellen’s was a heart of loves great and small, and she shared them all with those around her each day of her radiant life. She will be missed dearly.

There will be a celebration of Ellen's life on Sunday, May 27 at 2:00 PM at Dannel Funeral Home, 302 S. Walnut, in Sherman. Rev. Susan Dungan of Fellowship United Methodist Church in Bossier City, Louisiana will officiate. The family will greet friends after the service. Interment will be in Booneville, MS at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Home Hospice of Grayson County.